Masterpieces of French Faience: Selections from the Sidney R. Knafel Collection

The exhibition in the Portico Gallery presents a promised gift to the Frick Collection: seventy-five objects from the collection of Sidney R. Knafel — the finest collection of French faience in private hands — to tell the fascinating and complex history of this particular art form. A feat of great technical achievement, French faience was introduced to Lyon in the second half of the sixteenth century by skilled Italian immigrants — the French word "faience" derives from the northern Italian city of Faenza. Over the next two centuries, production spread throughout the provinces of metropolitan France. The fine decoration of French faience draws inspiration from multiple sources, including Italian maiolica, Asian porcelain, and contemporary engravings. The forms of its platters, bowls, plates, and ewers derive mostly from European ceramics and silver. These influences come together in works of great originality.